Post by Flanz on Apr 1, 2013 7:37:23 GMT -5

I missed real baseball. Except we in Boston have to wait until Friday to get real baseball. Sure three games against the Yankees will count in the standings, and surprisingly at 1-2 for Boston - but it might as well be Spring Training with that shell of a Yankees roster.

Right, well, you should probably wait to see if your boys actually win the series before trash talking. I can easily see the Yanks winning 4-2 today on the strength of CC's huge ass and a Cano bopski to RF.

Post by A$AP Rosko on Apr 1, 2013 21:46:47 GMT -5

So where do I go to purchase my Jackie Bradley Jr. jersey? Kid's gonna be a star, he's a nightmare on the basepaths for the opposing pitcher.

I'm starting to feel a little optimistic about the Sox this year. We obviously don't have the sluggers like we've had in years past (hell, Mike Napoli is hitting in our cleanup spot right now...yikes), but there could be something to this defense-and-speed approach. We've got a super athletic squad (the only unathletic players in the projected starting lineup are Papi when he comes back and Napoli) and I love the fact that we have three lightning-fast centerfielders manning the outfield; between those three guys, they'll take away so many XBHs from opposing hitters. And I like the fact that our lineup is chock-full of "hustle" guys (another stark contrast to last year's squad). Even if we don't make the playoffs this year, this is a scrappy team that I can really get behind. Another encouraging sign was how well our bullpen performed in four shutout innings of relief. Granted, that was against the lowly Yankees offense (god that feels amazing just to say), but still...definitely encouraging signs all around.

Post by Hakuna on Apr 1, 2013 21:57:32 GMT -5

So where do I go to purchase my Jackie Bradley Jr. jersey? Kid's gonna be a star, he's a nightmare on the basepaths for the opposing pitcher.

I'm starting to feel a little optimistic about the Sox this year. We obviously don't have the sluggers like we've had in years past (hell, Mike Napoli is hitting in our cleanup spot right now...yikes), but there could be something to this defense-and-speed approach. We've got a super athletic squad (the only unathletic players in the projected starting lineup are Papi when he comes back and Napoli) and I love the fact that we have three lightning-fast centerfielders manning the outfield; between those three guys, they'll take away so many XBHs from opposing hitters. And I like the fact that our lineup is chock-full of "hustle" guys (another stark contrast to last year's squad). Even if we don't make the playoffs this year, this is a scrappy team that I can really get behind. Another encouraging sign was how well our bullpen performed in four shutout innings of relief. Granted, that was against the lowly Yankees offense (god that feels amazing just to say), but still...definitely encouraging signs all around.

I've been saying it for quite a while now. He just has the 'it' factor.I was lucky enough to catch his very first workout of spring training. While most people were checki out pitchers do drills, I was watching him take bp. There were about 4 or 5 other people, one who I later realized was Peter Gammons. I think he knew it as well and made a point of beings there to watch a star in the making.

Post by nodepression on Apr 1, 2013 22:16:01 GMT -5

So where do I go to purchase my Jackie Bradley Jr. jersey? Kid's gonna be a star, he's a nightmare on the basepaths for the opposing pitcher.

I'm starting to feel a little optimistic about the Sox this year. We obviously don't have the sluggers like we've had in years past (hell, Mike Napoli is hitting in our cleanup spot right now...yikes), but there could be something to this defense-and-speed approach. We've got a super athletic squad (the only unathletic players in the projected starting lineup are Papi when he comes back and Napoli) and I love the fact that we have three lightning-fast centerfielders manning the outfield; between those three guys, they'll take away so many XBHs from opposing hitters. And I like the fact that our lineup is chock-full of "hustle" guys (another stark contrast to last year's squad). Even if we don't make the playoffs this year, this is a scrappy team that I can really get behind. Another encouraging sign was how well our bullpen performed in four shutout innings of relief. Granted, that was against the lowly Yankees offense (god that feels amazing just to say), but still...definitely encouraging signs all around.

There seems to be some confusion here as to your involvement with the Red Sox organization.

Post by Grizzly with a Sword on Apr 2, 2013 12:07:32 GMT -5

Baseball is back and this makes life that much better. Also so does seeing the Upton brothers in my Braves jerseys. Nice win last night to start the season. Crossing fingers that Uggla produces this year and when McCann is back in the lineup I don't know man. WS bound.

Post by Grizzly with a Sword on Apr 2, 2013 12:13:24 GMT -5

I think the Cubs are moving int he right direction, at least. Samardzija is a beast.

And anytime Rosko gets too big for his britches, just remind him that Rizzo was a Sox farmhand before they traded him for a guy they immediately traded in a salary dump.

I like what the Cubs are putting together. I think they will be on the upswing for wins this year. Not a dramatic difference yet but it will work. I like the addition of Jackson to the rotation for now. He is a little bit of a wild card but I was able to see him throw some nasty games. Feldman was a nice little upgrade as well and should be good for a few wins.

Post by Flanz on Apr 2, 2013 13:14:39 GMT -5

Oh that sh*t again? I obviously didn't bother reading the article. Not like there's anything complicated about being Cano's agent ...

Hah yeah, and I wasn't directing my response at you, I have about 600 Yankee fan FB statuses about Jay-Z being Cano's agent, and half of them seem to think this means there is about to be a flood of FA signings in the next year or two in the Bronx even though they have an opening day payroll of TWO HUNDRED AND THIRTY MILLION DOLLARS.

They have been a horrifically run organization since George died, and this is coming from a Mets fan, a fan base that specializes in knowing horrifically run organizations inside and out.

As for Jay-Z, I don't fault him for branching out, it'll make him a lot more money, but no one has given me a good answer on how someone with no college education whatsoever, let alone a law degree, is going to be an agent.

He's going to bring in and party with clients and let CAA do the dirty work. Win-win-win.

Post by Delicious Meatball Sub on Apr 2, 2013 13:20:41 GMT -5

My understanding is that with a guy like Cano there is nothing to it. The contract is basically a form and the only variables are time and $. I'd imagine it would be a much tougher gig with mid to low level players.

But I imagine Alberto play's squash with MLB agents every Friday so I'll defer to him.

Post by Flanz on Apr 2, 2013 13:46:49 GMT -5

I would normally agree, and Cano is most definitely getting a deal set by the market for an elite player in their prime, but it's the Yankees and they might be coming off a dreadful season where Cano is the only above-average player.

He'll have a lot of leverage and if he wants to take the Yanks to the cleaners, he might be able to.

Post by jeffp1717 on Apr 2, 2013 13:49:25 GMT -5

My first season of baseball after having caught up to the technologies of the century and I'm so stoked about the MLB.com At Bat app. Home and away radio broadcasts. I'm going to be listening to all kinds of random games. For whatever reason, probably mostly nostalgia, listening to a baseball game on the radio is just about the most therapeutic thing ever for me.